North Ridgeville Fire Department receives antique fire extinguishers

Jon Wysochanski/Morning Journal
North Ridgeville Assistant Fire Chief Scott Bement, center, and Fire Chief John Reese check out two antique fire extinguishers, the same kind that came with the city's first fire engine in 1931. Former fireman Gene Kleinholz presented the extinguishers to the department at a recent city council meeting.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE — The Fire Department — and the equipment firefighters use — have come a long way in 83 years.

Members of the North Ridgeville Historical Society presented fire officials with two antique fire extinguishers during a recent City Council meeting.

Mayor David Gillock read a proclamation explaining the significance of the extinguishers and how they represent the department’s beginnings over eight decades ago.

On Feb. 16, 1931, North Ridgeville town trustees John Fitz, John Johnson and George Fortune finalized legislation allowing them to launch their dream of building a fire department.

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Not long after, the first fire house was built on the site where the city’s fire museum is currently located, near the Old Towne Hall Theater, 36119 Center Ridge Road.

“A series of fires, including one which burned down St. Peter’s Church (in 1914), made the decision inevitable to establish a fire department that would employ a staff who would ensure the safety of our residents,” Gillock said.

The department’s first fire truck, known as The Buffalo, was delivered in August 1931 and received by the newly established personnel, which also motivated a number of individuals to sign up as volunteer firemen, Gillock said.

Today, North Ridgeville has two fully staffed fire stations which include 37 full time employees, two ladder trucks, two fire engines and four medic units.

“We continue to maintain The Buffalo in its original state,” Gillock said. “And the North Ridgeville Historical Society has cordially donated these two refurbished fire extinguishers as their gift in preserving this antiquated truck’s integrity and historical significance.”

Gene Kleinholz, a member of the North Ridgeville Historical Society and former North Ridgeville firefighter, said the extinguishers are the exact kind that came with The Buffalo in 1931.

“This is a special kind of extinguisher,” Kleinholz told those present at the council meeting. “It’s called an apparatus extinguisher.”

Early fire extinguishers contained a mixture of soda and acid which required tilting or shaking to activate the materials, Kleinholz explained. Apparatus extinguishers contained a special device which ensured the materials would not activate as it vibrated on a bumpy fire engine.

The extinguishers, made of copper and brass, were acquired through a collector who Kleinholz approached 15 years ago. Six months ago, the collector tracked the apparatus extinguishers down and the North Ridgeville Historical Society obtained them.

“Being a preservationist that tries to get things right from a historical perspective, this was a chance to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Fire Department,” Kleinholz said. “Significant events are etched in our minds and we should cherish The Buffalo.”